Additional information
Grand Slam: Phil Lynott (vocals, guitar). Recording information: Glasgow Mayfair (10/30/1984). Unknown Contributor Roles: Mark Stanway; Doish Nagle; Robbie Brennan; Phil Lynott. Phil Lynott's Grand Slam coexisted with Thin Lizzy from 1984 to 1985. They never recorded an official album, but did play live shows and recorded demos during the wildly strict rehearsals Lynott held. Glasgow Kiss was recorded live at the Glasgow Mayfair in 1984. The recording source is a really dodgy-sounding bootleg tape from the collection of Grand Slam's keyboardist (who is overbearing throughout), Mark Stanway (formerly of the shoddy Brit metallers Magnum). The set consists of a number of Lynott originals and Lizzy tunes, including "Parisienne Walkways," "Crime Rate Is Going Up," and "Sarah." "Nineteen" is a killer metallic original as well as a vehicle for lead guitarist Laurence Archer. "Yellow Pearl" is pure Lynott in the verse and pure Stanway up front with his cheesy synth. It's important to remember that Lynott, along with his desire for an ever harder-rocking Thin Lizzy, also desired to be a pop songwriter, and those different poles eventually tore him apart. Evidence for the latter is in "Yellow Pearl" but is more pronounced on "Harlem," with Stanway toning down the synth and playing a piano and an organ-sounding keyboard. There are also fine covers by this band, including Leonard Cohen's "Sisters of Mercy," Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone," and, believe it or not, the teaser intro to Procol Harum's "A Whiter Shade of Pale." Lynott's voice is in fine shape, and he delivers passionately and authentically. If only the recorded quality of this set were better it might be possible to truly enjoy it, instead of endure it to get a glimpse of what Lynott was up to in his late years. Keyboard domination aside, this is a great band and not a second-rate Thin Lizzy. ~ Thom Jurek
